Tumakuru: It appears former minister, Sogadu Shivanna is not alone in wanting to put an end to reservations based on caste.

He has support from religious figures like the junior seer of Siddaganga Math , Siddalinga Swamiji, and Hiremath seer, Shivananda Shivacharya.

“The government has given enough priority to the so called deprived sections of society since Independence. Continuing this will lead to more casteism instead of giving justice to the needy,” argued Siddalinga Swamiji, speaking to Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday.

Reservations, he said, should be based on the financial status of people irrespective of the caste they belonged to.

“There are thousands of families in all communities, including Lingayats and Brahmins, that are extremely poor and need help. Continuation of caste-based reservations will only divide society. It should be permanently abolished,” he asserted.

Hiremath seer, Shivananda Shivacharya too made no bones about his support for abolition of caste based quotas. “A few communities have benefited from reservations for two generations.

It should now apply to all communities based on financial status. If reservation in the present form continues, it will weaken people from the Other Backward Castes, scheduled caste and tribes, who are currently entitled to it,” he contended.

However, Pavagada Ramakrishna Math seer, Japananda Swamiji and Tumakuru Ramakrishna Math seer, Veereshananda Swamiji refused to comment on the issue.

Mr Shivanna, who has demanded abolition of caste based reservations, has claimed it is being misutilised and those who entitled to it are not getting benefits.